Dublin Rape Crisis Centre And One In Four Call For Explanation Re Dublin Archdiocese Report

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) and One in Four are calling for an immediate explanation for the recent delays in the publication of the Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive, DRCC, said “It is totally unacceptable that victims and their families have to wait again for the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin. To be given some explanation as to why there is this continued delay, would at least be courteous, and would go some way towards alleviating the unnecessary distress that victims are having to endure as a result of being left in the dark. This current situation is inexcusable.”

Maeve Lewis, Executive Director of One in Four, said “Christmas is a very emotive time of year. In our experience it is particularly distressing for our clients. We are concerned that the report may be published close to Christmas, at a time when some services will not be fully operational and support will not be available to survivors.”

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and One in Four are also increasingly concerned that key chapters of the Report may not be published for years. While we understand the necessity to protect criminal proceedings, there is a danger that piecemeal will seriously compromise the integrity of the Report.

Maeve Lewis continues: “There is intense speculation that publication of sections concerning the way in which investigations into allegations against priests were carried out by Gardai may be delayed indefinitely. This will seriously undermine the value of the Report. It may also mean that the full story of how the sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese was allowed to continue and will remain untold. This has serious implications for future child protection policy and practice.”

For further information please contact:
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, CEO, DRCC – 01 661 4911 / 086 809 9618
Maeve Lewis, Executive Director, One in Four – 087 7584080